Democrat lawmaker denounces religious slur

State lawmaker Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth, has been the only lawmaker to react publicly to a religious slur that casually tumbled out of the mouth of Rep. Larry Taylor Thursday during a legislative hearing on problems facing wind insurance coverage.

Taylor offered a written apology later in the day for his use of the derogatory term.

House Speaker Joe Straus, the first Jewish speaker elected to lead the 150-member chamber, declined comment.

Burnam sent out a statement Thursday night.

“Rep. Larry Taylor casually issued a (religious) slur during an official government meeting. Offensive terms like this might be tolerated in today’s Republican Party, but they have no place in the New Texas, which grows more and more diverse every day. Ten months ago, we saw a Texas House Speaker’s battle take a disturbing turn when Republican activists decided to use faith, rather than ideology or results, as a litmus test for whom to choose. That same argument reared its head today.

“If Larry were a state employee, he probably would have been fired today. Instead, Larry is asking Texas voters to give him a promotion to the Texas Senate.

“I condemn Larry’s slur. Larry is not just any Republican; he is the leader of the House Republican Caucus. Words matter, and should not be tossed around lightly,” Burnam said in his statement.

Taylor, who is running for the Texas Senate, offered the following apology:

“At a legislative oversight committee hearing today, I inadvertently used a phrase that many people find offensive.

“I corrected myself immediately when I realized what I had said.

“I regret my poor choice of words and sincerely apologize for any harm they may have caused.”